Ridgetown Rotary

Posted on Sep 10, 2018

The Ridgetown Rotary Club's first fall meeting took place on September 10. To honour Hugh McVittie for his 56 years of service to Ridgetown Rotary and the community at large, almost 40 gathered in the Anglican Church Hall for this special meeting. Kay McVittie plus members of the McVittie family, Rotarians and their wives and members of the Ridgetown Horticultural Society all came to honour Hugh. Harry Wyma, President of the Horticultural Society, spoke of Hugh's some 40 years involvement, quietly contributing to the continual beautification of Ridgetown. Don “Sparky” Leonard, incoming district governor for Rotary D6380, spoke of the many achievements of Hugh and the Club over his career in Rotary.

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Club president Henny Boeters presented Hugh with a Paul Harris pin, with attached sapphire, in honour of his dedicated service to Rotary. Henny and Harry presented Hugh with a plaque that Rotary and the Horticultural Society commissioned to have mounted on a large rock to be placed on the Ridgetown Memorial T.R.E.E.S. Forest Trail. The rock will be set at the beginning of one of branches of the trail, with this branch being named the “Hugh McVittie Trail.”

Hugh then took the floor. He has been the historian for Ridgetown Rotary and he entitled his talk “My Adventures in Ridgetown Rotary.”

Hugh led us through the many projects that he and the club have taken part in during his time in Rotary. It was a remarkable story of the impact that the Ridgetown club has had in Ridgetown. The building of the Rotary Youth Centre to mark Canada's Centennial, the antique show that ran for many years and the setting up of a medical equipment loan system were just a few. Hugh received several standing ovations during the evening, all very well deserved. Hugh said “We leave with loads of good/happy memories.”

Hugh and Kay have sold their home here in Ridgetown and have moved into a retirement residence in London to be close to their two sons and family. They will be greatly missed.